Going to Uni – Your Essentials Checklist

Going to uni has to be up there as one of the most exciting experiences in your life – making new friends, living away from home for the first time, your first proper taste of independence, the list is endless. At the same time, starting uni can also be quite a daunting prospect, especially being away from home and all your home comforts.

Perhaps one of the biggest challenges for students is communal living. How does one navigate student accommodation and personal hygiene? Living in close quarters and sharing communal spaces can be breeding grounds for illness and infection, so good personal hygiene practices are important. I mean who hasn’t heard horror stories about a filthy roommate? And who has actually ever tried to navigate all the wash options on a washing machine?

So read on for a handy guide of the various essentials you need to make your transition to uni life as easy and seamless as possible.

Uni Starter Essentials

• Towels

Not at halls or residences come with towels, so best to check if you need to bring some – you don’t want to be ‘air-drying’ on your first day! Just don’t forget to wash your towels regularly – bath towels, hand towels and face cloths. Why? Towels can be a host to numerous bacteria, fungi, bodily secretions and dead skin cells. These microbes continually multiply, particularly if hung to dry in moist, dark places like bathrooms. No one wants dirty and musty smelling towels! SilverGuard towels are made using a blend of organic cotton and IONIC+ silver thread. The silver thread is weaved through the organic cotton preventing the growth of bacteria, fungi and other germs, making your bathroom environment a safer and cleaner place between washes.

• Bedding

Let’s face it, you will probably spend a considerable amount of time in bed so you might as well make it comfortable and cosy. Accommodation can be small, so your bed is where you will end up sitting or relaxing when you’re not asleep. Think about taking some nice bedding, throws and cushions to make it a comfortable and homely retreat. 

And as with towels, you may want to take extra bedding with you because you will need to change the bedding and keep it fresh. Also, don’t forget to wash your bedding – and once a term really isn’t very hygienic! People spend on average between 7-9 hours asleep every day, so that’s a lot of time to sweat and shed dead skin cells on your sheets which make them dirty and smell. Our SilverGuard bedding can definitely help here too!

• Personal Hygiene Products/Toiletries

Your personal hygiene is also very important and keeping clean is essential part of this. You definitely don’t want to be known as the smelly roommate. In addition to towels don’t forget to pack a washcloth or sponge, shower gel or soap, toothpaste (and a toothbrush of course) and deodorant as a minimum.

• Medical / Heath Supplies

Make sure you have essential medical and health supplies packed – from painkillers to plasters and even sun cream! Don’t forget about the preventative supplies like vitamins too. Also, if you have any existing health conditions and take any regular medication that is only available on prescription make sure you have enough packed to get you through the first few weeks, or until you can register with the university or local GP.

• Clothes

Make sure you have packed clothes for all weathers, and that also means plenty of underpants and socks too. It’s also going to start getting cooler, so don’t forget coats. And if you still don’t know what an iron is, then coat hangers will also be handy! 

• Student Cards

Make sure you get your NUS card and use it to its max. For most, being a student is all about learning to live on a budget. Your NUS card should help you access the best deals around, from travel cards to food discounts and cheap nights out.

• and last but not least, a Secret Stash of Goodies!

Let’s face it – we all need some comfort food sometimes and a secret stash of goodies, whether it is sweets, chocolates, crisps or something else is sometimes what you need. 

 

Be part of an Amazing Fresher’s Survival Kit Giveaway 

SilverGuard is part of a mega giveaway with some amazing brands…with five lucky winners. Yes, that’s right FIVE!!!

We’ve got you all set up for that first week at Uni with a Freshers Survival kit that covers all bases.

Take a look at what you could win:

• A blemish bundle of two Clarify bars and a pouch from @thebeautykin purveyors of bars with benefits! Kin kind, ‘Kin effective and ‘Kin lovely. pH balanced and plastic free, kind to skin and the planet.
• A bundle of @eatvive outrageously moorish treats that also happen to taste scandalously delicious. Flagrant fudginess. 74% brazenly Belgian chocolate. Rammed with plant-based, gluten-free goodness.
• £20 voucher to spend at @veoworldofficial the leading online shopping destination for sustainable living! Home to over 350 independent ethical brands, their product range spans Fashion, Beauty, Wellness, Food, and Home, offering everything you need to consciously curate your lifestyle.
• £20 voucher to spend @booheads the bamboo and biodegradable electric toothbrush heads. They’ll ensure you have clean teeth whilst maintaining a clean planet.
• A one-month supply of @drveganco advanced nootropic formula, Brain Fuel®, and iconic vitamin pill tin. Brain Fuel® which includes clinically proven ingredients to improve your memory, focus, and cognitive performance every day.
• @silverguard_uk towel and face cloth. With bedding and towels harbouring more germs than a toilet seat, SilverGuard products harness the properties of silver to kill the bacteria that cause acne and odour, while being kind to skin and the environment.

To enter:⁠

• Follow @eatvive - @booheads - @veoworldofficial - @drveganco - @silverguard_uk and @thebeautykin on Instagram
• Like the Instagram giveaway post⁠
• Tag a student mate in the post
• Share on your stories for an extra dose of luck 

T&Cs: Over 18s and UK entries only. The giveaway closes on Friday 29th September 2023, at 23:59pm. You must be a student to enter and student ID will be required to claim your prize. This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Instagram in any way. The winner will be selected at random, announced on stories, and contacted directly by @thebeautykin only.